Trampoline



June 17, 1952 B. J. PURVIANCE ET AL TRAMPOLINE Filed Sept. 6, 1.949

2 SHEETS-SHEET 1 mvsu-rons .B. J.' Puzv ian ce 11H. Smifb ATTORNEYS June 17, 1952 B. J. PURVIANCE ET AL 2,500,572

TRAMPOLINE Filed Sept. 6, 1949 2 SHEETSSHEET 2 INVENTORS .B, J, PuJ-vian as .D. H.5mizh ATTORNEYS Patented June 17, 1952 Y'QUNITED STAT-ES PATENT oF FicE Billy J. Purviance, Lodi, and Dick A. Smith,

- Los Angeles, Calif.

"Application September 6, 1949, Serial No. 114,206

4 Claims. 1

This invention is'directed generally to athletic equipment.

In particular the invention rel'ates to, and it is an object to provide, an improved trampoline for acrobats. I

Another object of the invention isto provide a trampoline which includes a novel supporting frame; such framebeing sturdy and rigid when the device is in use, but is readily foldable into acompact unit for ease of movement from place to place, and for storage.

A further object of the invention is to provide a trampoline, as above, embodying a pair of spaced supportingleg assemblies of novel structure; each leg assembly including a plurality of swingable legs effectively, but 'quick-detachably, secured'or'locked together when the trampoline is in unfolded position and arranged for-use.

'An additional object of the invention is to provide a trampoline, including 'a'ioldi'ng frame, which is fitted with a novel arrangement of wheels to engage the floor and facilitate movement of the device-when foldedon' saidfioor.

It is also an object of the invention to provide a trampoline which is designed for ease and economy of manufacture.

' A further object of the invention is to provide a reliable trampoline, an'd'one which 'will be exceedingly efiecti've for the purpose for which it is designed.

These objects are accomplished by means of such structure and relative arrangement of parts as will fully appear by a perusal of the following specification and claims.

In the drawings:

Figilis a side elevation of the trampoline in unfolded'operativeposition in full lines, and in partially folded position in dotted lines.

Fig. 2 is an end elevation 'ofithetrampoline as in use.

Fig. 3 is a side elevation of the trampoline fully folded.

Fig. 4 is an enlarged fragmentary cross section illustrating the locking'mechanism, for each leg assembly, as engaged.

Fig. 5 is a similar view, but illustrates the looking mechanism disengaged.

Referring-now more particularly to the charactersof reference on the drawings, the improved trampoline comprises a pair of rectangular frame sections, indicated generally at I; such frame sections normally being horizontal in end to end alinement, as in Fig. l, for use of the device.

The frame sections l are open at adjacent ends, and at opposite sides of said ends said frame sections l include'pairsof cooperating ears 2 pivctally connected, as at 3. Each pair of cooperating ears 2 is arranged to permit of relative downward hin'ging motion of the adjacent end of the frame sections 2, but'cooperates to 2 prevent upward hinging or buckling 'a ave said normal horizontal position of the frame sections. The frame of the trampoline, as comprised of the cooperating frame's'ections I, is fitted witha one-piece canvas "bounce net tsecured'about its edges at a plurality of points to the framesections under tension by means of a multiplicity of elastic tension straps 5 which include buckles: 6.

The frame sectionsl are-"each normally supported above the floor ina horizontal position: by a leg assembly, indicated'generally at I. As such leg assemblies are identical, a descriptionof am will suffice for both. v V Each legassembly l includes an inner, generally U-shaped leg 8 pivoted, at its upper ends,j'as at 9, to corresponding sides of the related frame section I adjacent the inner 'end or "the latter; said inner leg 8 normally-extending at a downward and outward incline'into floor engagement. The inner leg 8 includes 'a transverse bottom bar I U fitted, adjacent its ends,'with floor engaging cushion sleeves IL t v t The numeral lz indicates an intermediate, transverse, generally 1U -shape'd leg pivoted, atiit's upper ends, as at l3, to the relatedframe section I intermediate the ends 'ofthe latter such intermediate leg l2 including a transverse bottom bar Id of lesser length than the bottom bar HI and resting directly atop the latter. I ,7

A straight outer leg l5 isipivotally connected, as at [5, to the outer end'of the related frame section I centrally of the sides of the latter; such outer leg [5 normally extending at a downward and inward incline to a position closely adjacent the bottom bars l0 and I4. v The lower end of the outer leg [5 and the ad-' jac'ent portions of the bottom bars l0 and; are

normally releasably locked together by .thetfol-e lowing mechanism: H J

A stop IT projects upwardly'from thebar ill in alinement with and at the'same angle as that of the legl5 when the latter is its normallowered position so as to be then engaged by th'e outer side of said leg, as shown in'Fig. 4. Additionally, said outer leg I5 is fitted, on the inner side, ,with a foot I8 which rests atop the bottom bar 14.,

An ear I9 projects longitudinally inwardly from the bottom bar l0 i.'e. opposite the stop J1, and the upstanding shank 20 of a depending hook 2| is pivoted, as at 22, on the ear 'lj9;f su ch shank extending above the pivot 22 as'a 'locking dog 23. This locking dog 23 is adapted, upon swinging in a longitudinally outwar'ddirection, to abut a lug 24 on the bottom bar it. g g

A tension cable 25, which includesa tension buckle 25, connects betweenthe hooks 2] of the separate leg assemblies '1, and when isaid cable 25 is under tension it not only'prevents the frame sections I from hinging downwardly atimpenter, but also forcefully urges each locking dog23 into engagement with the corresponding lug 24, efiectively maintaining-in cooperation with the corresponding stop I! and foot l8- the bottom bars l9 and M in locked-together relationship.

It will thus be recognized that when the trampoline is in its unfolded or operative position, as in Fig. 1, the tension cable 25 maintains I all of the parts in rigid relation, and additionally prevents release of the mechanism which locks the leg assemblies together.

At adjacent ends thereof the frame sections l are each fitted with a pair of transversely spaced, normally downwardly converging, fixed legs 21; said legs having caster wheels 28 on their lower ends, and the legs being disposed so that the caster wheels are spaced apart transversely.

Additionally, the bottom bar H! of each leg assembly I is fitted, on the inner side, with a pair of transversely spaced wheels 29 normally in slight clearance relation above the floor.

When it is desired to fold the trampoline for convenient movement from place to place, or for compact storage, the tension cable 25 is first released and disconnected at least at one end. Thereafter, the frame sections I are hinged downwardly about the pivots 3, and one of said frame sections is swung upwardly or folded into face to face engagement with the other, as shown in dotted lines in Fig. 1. At the same time the legs 8, l2 and i of the leg assembly I of said one frame section are folded against the latter.

When the frame sections 1 have been folded to the position as in Fig. 1, the fixed legs 21 are swung from their normally downward converging position to a diverging position, with the caster wheels 28 of the lowermost legs 21 riding the floor. At the same time the wheels 29, of the leg assembly I under the lowermost frame section I, also ride the floor. Thus, with partial folding of the trampoline, as in dotted lines of Fig. 1, it can be conveniently manipulated from place to place on the floor.

If it is desired to complete the folding of the trampoline for greater ease of movement, or for compact storage, the folded-together frame sections 1 are erected to a vertical position, as in full lines in Fig. 3, whereupon all of the caster wheels 28 ride the floor. When in this position the legs 8, I2 and 15 of both leg assemblies I are folded against the corresponding frame sections 1. When in its completely folded and upstanding position, as in Fig. 3, the trampoline occupies little floor space, and can easily be moved, manually, from place to place.

It will also be recognized that the trampoline can be erected for use, from folded position, with a minimum of effort, and without the necessity of any tools; the trampoline when erected being rigid, stable, and safe.

From the foregoing description it' will be readily seen that there has been produced such a device as substantiall fulfills the objects of the invention, as set forth herein.

While this specification sets forth in detail the present and preferred construction of the device, still in practice such deviations from such detail may be resorted to as do not form a departure from the spirit of the invention, as defined by the appended claims.

Having thus described the invention, the following is claimed as new and useful, and upon which Letters Patent are desired:

1. A trampoline comprising a pair of leg-supported frame sections, means hinging the sections together at adjacent ends for upward folding movement so that the sections may be disposed in adjacent face to face relationship, relatively short fixed legs normally depending from each section at the sides and adjacent the hinged end thereof, and rollers on the outer end of the last named legs arranged relative to the hinge means to engage the floor and maintain said hinge means clear of the floor when the frame sections are folded and disposed in an upright position.

2. A trampoline comprising a pair of normally horizontal frame sections hinged together at adjacent ends for upward folding movement, a leg 'unit for each section comprising a pair of legs pivoted on and depending from the section adjacent its hinged 'end and'extending at an angle toward the other end of said section, a cross bar connecting the legs at their lower end, another pair of legs pivoted on the section at a point between the point of pivotal connection of the first named legs and the other end of the section, said other pair of legs lying laterally inward of the first named legs and being foldaole upwardly toward the hinged end of the section, a cross bar connecting said other pair of legs and when unfolded overlying the first named cross bar, stop means engaging both cross bars and preventing the folding of the first named legs and also limiting the downward unfolding movement of the other pair of legs, and releasable latch means mounted on the leg unit and acting on said last named cross bar and preventing folding movement of the other pair of legs.

3. A trampoline as in claim 2, in which said stop means comprises an end leg on the section pivoted on and depending therefrom at the end opposite the hinged end and disposed in a longitudinal plane transversely between the first named legs and foldable upwardly toward said hinged end, and a stop element upstanding from the first named cross bar for engagement by said end leg when unfolded; the lower end of said end leg being disposed when unfolded between the stop element and the last named cross bar.

4. A trampoline as in claim 2, in which said latch means comprises a lug on the last named cross bar projecting in the direction of folding movement of said bar, an upstanding locking dog pivoted on the first named cross bar for swinging movement and having an upper end portion movable between a position in the path of folding movement of the lug and a position clear of said lug, and a tension member releasably connected to the dogs of the leg units of the frame sections to hold the dogs in the first named position.-

BILLY J. PURVIANCE. DICK A. SMITH.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Date 

